We Have Ants In Our Bur Oak Tree. Do We…
Dennis & Judy Asked
We have ants in our bur oak tree. Do we need to worry and if so how do I get rid of the ants?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Dennis and Judy in Minnesota: Typically when we see ants around the base of a tree there is no reason to be concerned, but you mentioned that you see them on your bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and this may be an indication of an underlying problem. Do you notice any unusual characteristics in terms of the foliage? If so, in addition to the ants crawling up into the tree, it may be an indication that the tree has something else going on, such as an aphid infestation. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that feed on plant material and secrete a sticky substance known as honeydew, which is what the ants are after. Your next step should be having a horticulturist take a look at a sample of the foliage on your tree. They will be able to tell you if there is an insect problem and give you treatment options. All insects have different controls so proper identification is important. Otherwise, the only real concern would be if you were dealing with carpenter ants. These are much larger than your average ant and they typically are not ground nesters but rather live within the actual wood. Carpenter ants can do damage so taking a sample of the ant to a horticulturist at your local garden center or your county Extension office would not be a bad idea. Not that any gardener wants a garden full of ants, but they can actually be beneficial by creating better air circulation as well as drainage in more compact soil. They do not feed on roots so you do not need to be concerned about them disturbing the root system of your oak tree.
